UPCS calls for a high degree of preparedness especially with the schools that are reopening after two years of inactivity.
Lira – January 19, 2022: Ugandan factories and schools are lately prone to fire outbreaks leading to damage on the property including loss of human lives.
As per the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2020, there was a 1.6% increase in fire and rescue emergencies in 2020.
The Police handled 1,015 fire cases compared to 999 it recorded a year before, 2019.
Among notable fire, outbreaks was that of Makerere university on Sunday, September 20, 2020.
Nearly three months before the Ivory Tower fire, on July 11, 2020, fire gutted the Nyamitwobora market and property worth millions were destroyed.
On January 16 2022, a fire gutted the Hima cement factory in Western Uganda leaving three dead and injuring eight. Property worth millions were also destroyed.
Now, to curb future fire outbreaks and loss of life and destruction of property, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party has issued a suggestion to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
One of the UNBS mandates is to “enforce standards in protection of public health and safety and the environment against dangerous and sub-standard products”.
“Uganda is experiencing another wave of re-emerging mysterious fire out-breaks affecting two schools, a cement factory and an entertainment place or bar, and some homes on Kalangala islands,” UPC spokesperson, Arach Oyat Sharon said on Wednesday.
She added that the fire outbreak has become rampant, with loss of lives and destruction of property. “As a country, we have been caught off-guard despite the history of school fires that occurred in the previous years.”
According to UPC, we need a high degree of preparedness especially with the schools that are reopening after two years of inactivity.
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“There is need to do a thorough check on all the electricity facilities from each and every building. As UPC, we recommend installation of fire detecting devices on all school buildings, periodic and spot on inspections by the Ministry of Education and Sports.”
After the above is done she is hopeful it will help curb and minimize loss of property and lives in these institutions.
“The fire at a big factory of Hima cement was very unfortunate and it needs urgent reviews on how best our science and technology can be upgraded to detect immediate fire outbreaks or undesirable temperatures or heat rise in all industries and factories across the country.”
UPC is calling for a routine inspection of electrical installations. “Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) ought to come out strongly to stop the production and supply of fake products on the market.”
“There is a lot of duplication of products offered at different prices and leaving it to the buyer to decide! It is high time products are standardized and quality of these products are checked to ensure maximum safety.”